Happy Birthday, John!

Words cannot express how proud I am of you honey!

Psalm 1: 1-4 reminds me of my hubby, John

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night.  He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

I wanted to take a look back at this past year and highlight some of my MOST favorite memories with you...

Our August trip to visit the Lees on Long Beach Island in August...

Our trips to Princeton with the kids, just enjoying them and taking photos of them with you, and ice cream at the Bent Spoon...yummy...

Family time in Doylestown, PA, on Labor Day weekend with the Weavers, one of my favorite family traditions...

Our weekend getaway in Cape May to celebrate our 7th year anniversary...

Valentine's Day weekend in NYC with our dearest friends, and getting to visit the Guggenheim Museum and eat at a lovely restaurant together...and all the laughter...

Thanksgiving with the Hech's and Lambertsons what a treat to eat a special meal with very dear friends who have been a part of our life since you first proposed!

Christmas Eve with our own family of four going to service together and then relaxing by the fire place...

Our recent date day to NYC to see your office, and go out to eat at Amma, and our stroll in central park...

Together forever...I love you dearest one! Happy Birthday to my best friend, my soul mate, and the man who always puts a smile on my face!

Whole Wheat Pasta w/White Beans & Spinach

celebrating daddy's birthday this weekend

 Healthy Recipe for the week:

All You magazine, May 2011

Ingredients:


salt
1 lb whole wheat Penne pasta
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 cloves garlic chopped
1 15 oz. can white beans drained and rinsed
10 oz bag baby spinach (5 cups)
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Directions:

1. Bring pot of salted water to boil, add pasta and cook until al dente
2. Warm 1 tbsp oil in a small skillet over medium heat and bread crumbs, and 1/4 tsp salt and cook stirring occasionally, until toasted about 5 min.  transfer to small bowl.
3. Warm remained 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 secs.  stir in beans, spinach and broth and bring to a boil
Lower heat and simmer until spinach has wilted 2-3 min.
4. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water.  Add pasta to sauce, stirring in reserved pasta cooking water, 1 tbsp at a time, to reach desired consistency.  season with salt.  divide among 6 bowls and sprinkle each portion with bread crumbs.  (I will do this to 4 bowls, and save the extra for lunch for John the next day).

John's birthday is tomorrow!!!

This meal will start off my week and also hopefully inspire me to work out each day and get back on track with good eating and daily workouts!  Have a blessed Monday!